Pallet tiering frame



Dec. 1, 1964 l.. F. sKuBlc PALLET TIERING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l FiledOct. 16, 1965 INVENTOR. LEROY F. sKue/c wnal/Mx/M/ Dec. 1, 1964 F.sKuBlc PALLET TIERING FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 16, 1963INVENTOR. LEROY United States Patent O 3,159,116 PALLET TIERING FRAMELeroy F. Skubic, Long Beach, Ind., assigner to The Peltier Corporation,Michigan City, Ind., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Oct. 16, 1963, Ser.No. 317,402 Claims. (Cl. 10S-53) The present invention relates generallyto pallets and load-supporting pallet tiering frames therefon, and moreparticularly to improvements in mounting brackets for mounting theframes on the pallets, and is a continuationin-part of my applicationSerial No. 180,529, now abandoned.

It is an object of the present invention tov provide a mounting bracketfor a pallet tiering frame which will allow the frame to be quickly andeasily installed on the pallet, while providing an unusually rigidinterengagement which will allow the pallet and frame combination to beemployed to the limit of their collective capabilities. It is a relatedobiect'of the present invention to provide a mounting bracket ascharacterized above which is simple and durable of construction and,thus, highly economical A furthen object of the present inventionlis toprovide a mounting bracket as characterized hereinabove having anadditional safety feature which permits the bracket to be securelylocked in its engagedj position, irrespective of whether solid deckingor spaced deck boards are used on the associated pallet. p

It is still another object of the present invention to pipovide amounting bracket of the type described which may be selectively insertedinto or permanently attachable to the frame itself, and which iscompatible with various forms of frame interlocking arrangements so asto make the frame easily mountable, either separately on in one piece,and in either cas-e requiring only a minimum of lskill and strength toaccomplish the mounting.

These and` other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent in the reading of the following detaileddescription when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:` Y FIGURE 1 is a perspective view. of one type 'of pallettiering fname embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is lan enlarged perspective view of a mounting y FIG. 4 is anenlarged perspective view of an alternative mounting bracket, shown inFIG. 3,V which illustratesanother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of, still another type of pallet tieringframe embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective of mounting bracket similar to that ofFIG. 4, but embodying the alternative safety lock construction of theinvention;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectionof the pallet and frame showing thearrangement of elements when the bracket of FIG. 6 is used; and

FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line 8 8 of FIG. 6. While certainillustrative modifications of the present invention have been shown inthe drawings and will be described below in considerable detail, itshould be `understood that there is no intention to limit the inventionice to the specific forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention isto cover all modifications, alternative constructions, equivalents anduses falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as expressedin the appended claims.

The present invention is constructed to be universally mountable on mostcommercial pallets, whether single or double face, and without referenceto the particular decking dimensions of the pallet, insofar as they arecompatible with the type of frame to be mounted thereon. An exemplarypallet 10 is shown in FIG. l and includes the plurality of Stringermembers 11 which are serially spaced, and, as shown, are disposedendwise. Deck boards 12 may be nailed or otherwise fastened transverselyof the stringers on either side thereof. Byvirtue of the presentinvention, it will be understood that solid decking consisting of asingle platform may be used in place of deck boards Where desired. Forthe purpose of simplicity, however, such structure isrnot specificallyshown in the drawings. Where deck boards are placed on one side only,the pallet is referred to as single face, and where deck boards areplaced on both sides of the stringers, the pallet is referred to asdouble face. In the exemplary pallet, a stringe-r is positioned at eachend of the deck boards and one in the middle; however, the number ofintermediate stringers may vary, depending upon the load which thepallet is intended to carry.

In order to increase the load-carrying versatility and ability of thepallet, there is provided a tiering framework attachable to the palletfor supporting a second pallet in vertically tiered relation to` the rstpallet. The particular framework construction will usually depend on thespecific task to be performed. Appropriately, the present invention isadaptable to use with practically any pallet tiering frame, and,therefore, exemplary yframes have been illustrated in FIGURES 1, 3 and5. `While the frames shown differ somewhatin their construction, theyserve to illustrate the versatility of the present mounting bracketconstruction.

In FIGURE 1 there is illustrated an exemplary square base frame 15 wellsuited for supporting additional pallets without tipping due to unevenloading of other, pallets mounted thereon. Broadly, the frame comprisesa pair of U-shaped members 16 which are jointed by an interlockdevice17. Frame posts or legs 20 are mounted in depending fashion from thebends of the U members 16. As illustrated, a hairpin or clevis-typemounting bracket 21 is provided `at the foot of each depending 50 framepost 20. The foot 21 is provided with a web 22 normal to the post uponwhich it is mounted, and from the web a pair of flanges 23 extenddownward to straddle a portion of the Stringer 11 showing between a pairof deck boards 12 near the middle of the Stringer. Considering the fname15 assembled as a whole, with the U members 16 interlocked, the posts 20having the bracket orfoot 21 described above are in substantially thesame vertical plane, which plane runs parallel to the deck boards in thepresent instance and is located at approximately the midpoint of thebase pallet.

The frame described is rectangular and, accordingly, includes anotherpair of legs or posts 2S disposed in a plane at right angles to theplane of the first-described legs Ztl. Secured to the base of each ofthese second-mentioned posts 25 is an improved mounting bracket 26forming a part of the present invention in one of its exemplaryembodiments. Viewing4 the invention in its broader aspects, a bracket'is provided which embraces one edge of a deck board, preferably theouter edge thereof, and straddles the central, or one of theintermediate stringers, therebylgripping the pallet in a manner notunlike the manner in which one would grasp the outer deck boards withhis hands.

- Y the bracket Vinto thepallet.

With respect to therparticular mounting bracket illustrated .in FIGS. land 2, there is provided a fiat transverse web portion 30 which issecured in any convenient manner tothepost, for example, such asbypermanently welding to the lower end of the pest. The web 30 in thisVinstance 4has an upstanding insert over which the post is telescoped-prior-to welding. The insert is of such a size as'to provide minimumclearance between it and thepost so as to prevent sloppiness betweenthe-two. The web presentsna substantially flat Vsurface tothe 'ace ofthe deck .board .to which it is mounted, thus distributing the verticalcomponents .ofthe -loadexperienced by that post over an area greaterthan that `subtended by `the diameter ,of the post.

. tForgr'ipping-the edge of the pallet .deck boards, the bracketisprovided, on the edge `of the web outwardly of the area described-bythe four posts of the frame, with a pair .of `flanges 33 which extenddownwardly from the web, andare formed at theirlowerends withan-inturned portion 34. The ends 34 are .turned under and back so thatviewingthe bracket, as in FIG. 2, it has a vJ or hooked shape.

The bracket is conveniently .formed by stamping or otherwise providing.a substantially at :U-shaped configuration with an .enlarged base, andthen-bending the legs of the U toform hooks, as seen n'FIG. 2. Theenlarged baseportiomofcourse, vserves as the webi) of theV bracket. The-distance .between the flanges 33 of the bracket is-made only slightlyVgreater than the .thickness of the stringerll-tominimizefthepossibilityioflateral-play when the bracket is mounted.

In Vkeeping with an important aspect of .the invention, -a Apositivelocking arrangement is,provided -which substantifallyfeliminatesanyftendency .of the legscarryin g the improved brackets -26yfromslippingoutwardly, or yin a direction away from eachother. `Sucharrangement also prevents-each -bracket26-.from .slidingaway from its.position embracing the deck board and straddlingthefstringer.

To'this end, a locking arrangement 36 is -provided,-which comprises, inoneexempl-ary .form,an aperture 37 in theweb portion 30 ofthe bracket,which isaligned with a corresponding aperture (not shown) .inthedeckboard and through-the deckboard intothefstringer where deemedappropriate. 1A locking-pin 38 is provided, which, for .the purposet ofthe .present invention, is. illustrated as conveniently mounted to thepost :by a ringf39. The pin is disposed lparallelto the post and, as thering is moved downward alongt-hepost, the-.pin 38 passesthrough the-hole 37 -in the bracket and-intorthe receptacle .therefor provided inthedeck board, lthus creating Va.,positive lock- -ing engagement betweenthe bracket-and deck board. The ring '39 can lslide 'on the fpost, butloss-of thepin is,.pre vented inasmuch las thefringcannot be removedfrom the fpost.

When the vfra-me -isvmounted -to thepal'let,A the bracket `is slippedAoverthe deck-board fand positionedin .the manner shown AinA FIG. l instraddlingrelationfwith they central Stringer, and the locking 1pin-38'is inserted through In this manner, the bracket is notfonly mountedat :af'position of voptimum strength of the pallet for-carrying maximumloads applied to the frame structure, but slippage or othermisalignmentof the bracket, vand consequently theposts secured thereto, isprevented. 'This is accomplished in part by reason of the inturned endportions 34 of the flanges which reside on either side of fthe Stringerso that any tendency of the bracket to slide :along the deck board v12is vprevented by the Stringer, andinpart'bythe engagement ofthe lockingpins "38 with the bnackets and the pallet. kBecause of the rrigidity ofthe upper part of the lframe asa result of the interlocking of the framemembers, the entire frame is rigidly-.positioned on'the pallet andcapablel of carrying `optimum loads. Vertical loads on the frame aredistributed on the at web portions of the bracket, and .non-

vertical loads are compensated for by the depending gripping flanges andthe locking pins.

The wide applicability of the present invention becomes even moreapparent when it is viewed with respect to the structure illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4. For the purpose of easy comparison, parts of a nature andyfunction comparable to'those ofFIG. l will bear-similar numerals withafsuiiix a attached. Inthese figures, a modified framework is shown,which represents another well known pallet tiering'framework. Inthepresent example, a pair of H frames 45 are adapted to kbe mounted in thefour corners yof. a pallet lil-a, which Apallet is substantiallyidentical to that shown in 'FIGURE l. The H frame is convenientlyinterconnected by tubular crossbars 46 which have dependingreceptacles47 for receiving the upper ends 4 8 of the-cornerposts 49 of the. Hframes.

At the foot of each corner post there is provided a mounting bracket 26aconstructedin` accordance with-the present invention. The mountingbracket is secured to each corner. post in any convenient manner, vsuchas that shown in the previous figures. The bracket, however, though.constructed in accordancewith theV principles of the present invention,is modified somewhat in order to make maximum use of theparticular'location ,in which it is `to be used, that is, the corner ofthe pallet.

To this end, there is Aprovided, aspreviously described, a llat webbedportion '30a which is in substantial face-toface relationship with theface of the deck board to which it is mounted, and having flanges 33a,`33b depending therefrom, at least one of which, 33a, .embraces thedeck'board 12a in a manner substantially as described heretofore.

In its present exemplary form, the 'flanges 33a, 33h depending from theweb, lie in planes which are at right angles, thus providing supporton'both of the sides which come together to make the` particular corner.Again, there is a space between the flanges which is greater than thewidth of the Stringer member,'in this case the endor outer stringer, so`that the bracket may effectively straddle the stringer. As fthe deckboards are substantially iiush with tially the same. as the exemplaryform illustrated in FIG. 1,`

comprising an aperture37a in the web '30a and a cornplementarylockingpin-"38a to be received therein. The function of this lockingdevice has'been described in detail above.

With reference now to'FIG.-5, still another exemplary "pallet .tieringframe is shown. Again for purpose of easy comparison with previousembodimentaparts hav- .ing a nature .and function which are comparablein all of the views are, in FIG.v 5, labeledwith the appropriate numeralfollowed by the suix'b. Thus, in FIG. 5, there isshown a pallet tieringframe having an X configuration-as denedby intersecting cross bars 55`and 56. rEach end of the bars 55, 56 is fitted with a post receiv- .ingreceptacle or cup 58 adapted to receive the upper ends ofsupportingposts 60. vEach receptacle or cup` -58..is .convenientlyprovided with a set screw 62 for securing the posts on the X Vframetogether.

Fixed .to the lower end ,of each post, in a manner previously described,is a mounting bracket 26b, which resembles the bracketZGainconstruction, and the brackets I26 and .26a in .its function. Thebracket 26b is :adapted to .mount .the posts 60 at the four corners ofthe pallet 10b having stringers 11b and deck boards 12b or solid deckingif desired.

The present invention Aencompasses a positive locking arrangement whichinhibits lateral movement of the mounting bracket once inplace. Suchanyarrangement .is .exemplified in FIGS..2 .and 4, and has been A,previously described. With reference now more particularly to FIGS. 6, 7and 8 of the drawings, an alternative locking arrangement 62 isillustrated which affords security against not only lateral movement ofthe bracket as mounted .to the pallet, but provides the additionalvaluable advantage of inhibiting inadvertent disengagement of thebracket and Stringer by tipping or tilting thereof once the lockingdevice is engaged. r'Ihe locking arrangement 62 comprises, in itsexempliied form, a vertically disposed locking pin 64, convenientlymounted by a ring 65 to the post 60, thusV facilitating translation ofthe pin in a vertical direction guided by the post. An aperture 65 isprovided in the web 30b of the bracket which is aligned with a hole of aslightly larger diameter formed in the pallet 10b passing through thedeck board 12b and into the Stringer 1lb as seen in FIG. 7. It will benoted in FIG. 6 that in order to retain the locking pin at all times ina position of relative readiness for engagement with the pallet, adimple 67 is formed on the post 60 a short distance above the bracket,thereby limiting movement of the ring 65 and accordingly the pin 64 onthe post.

In keeping with this aspect of the invention, ,the locking pin 64 isformed with a protruding portion 70 intermediate the lower extremity ofthe locking pin and the elbow portionwhich attaches the same to the ring65.

As seen in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 70 presents a relatively flatshoulder or lip 72 to the underside of the web b when the pin isinserted in its locking position. It will be appreciated from viewingFIG. 7 that in the event that any tipping or tilting of the pallettiering frame occurs the pin 64 will have a tendency to tilt slightly inthe aperture provided therefor and the lip ,f

72 will engage the underside of the web 30h, thus skewing the pin in itsnormallocking position and causing it to bear against the pallet withinthe hole. As a result, it becomes extremely dithcult for the pin Vtoinadvertently pop out or, in fact, be physically removed from itsloclc'ng position as shown in FIG. 7 while the post is tilted or tippedas before indicated. Accordingly, the pallet tiering frame and palletremain engaged until the post 60 is'again righted, at which time the pin64 may be removed by pulling the same vertically outwardly to detach thebracket and pallet.

Thus, it is seen that aihighly versatile mounting bracket is providedfor attaching many different types of frame structures on conventionalpallets in virtually any position.

I claim as my invention: p

l. For use with a pallet having one or more deck boards transverselymounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a load-'supportingframework on said pallet, said framework including posts extendingvertically from said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deckboard, a mounting bracket comprising, in combination, a web attachableto a vertical post and disposable in face-to-face verticalload-supporting relation with a deck board, gripping iianges dependingfrom said web, said flanges being so constructed and arranged as toembrace an edge of said deck board outwardly of said posts forsupporting the same in position against nonvertical forces encounteredthereby, means defining an aperture in said web, and a locking pindisposed for projection through said aperture into engagement with thedeck board.

2. In combination, a pallet having a deck transversely secured to aplurality of Stringer members, and a framework on said pallet, saidframework including posts extending vertically from said pallet Whereeach is releasably mounted to a deck by means of a mounting bracket,each said bracket including a web portion in faceto-face verticalload-supporting relation with said deck, and a plurality of grippingiianges depending from said web, at least one of said flanges being soconstructed and arranged las to embrace an edge of said deck outwardlyof said post for supporting said post in position against nonverticalforces encountered thereby, and means including a member movablerelative to said bracket for effecting a positive lock between saidbracket and the associated deck of the pallet.

3. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boardstransversely secured to a plurality of Stringer members, and a frameworkon said pallet, Said framework including posts extending vertically fromsaid pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means ofa mounting bracket, each Said bracket including a web portion inface-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, and aplurality of iianges depending from said web having a space between themgreater than the smallest dimension of said Stringer, said iiangesubstantially embracing an edge of said deck board in straddlingrelation with one of said stringers, outwardly of said post forsupporting said post in position against nonvertical forces encounteredthereby, and means including a pin member for effecting a positive lockbetween said bracket and the associated deck board of the pallet. Y

4. In combination, a pallet having a deck transversely secured t0 aplurality of Stringer members, and a framework on `Said pallet, saidframework including posts extending vertically from the corners of saidpallet where each is releasably mountedto said deck by means of mountingbrackets, each said bracket including a web portion in face-to-facevertical load-supporting relation with said deck, and gripping iiangesdepending from said web, such that the planes thereof are normal, andsaid flanges being` so constructed and arranged as to embrace the cornerof said deck outwardly of said posts for supporting the same in positionagainst nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and positivelockingmeans carried by said framework including aligned apertures Y insaid web portion of said bracket and the associated deck, and a pin onsaid posts, receivable in said apertures for locking said bracket to thepallet.

5. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boardstransversely mounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a frameworkon said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically fromSaid pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means ofa mounting bracket, said bracket including a web portion in face-to-facevertical load-supporting relation with a deck board, and grippingflanges depending from an edge of said web, said flanges being soconstructed and arranged as to embrace the edge of said deck boardoutwardly of said posts for supporting the same in position againstnonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means including a pin membermovable `relative to Said web for effecting a positive lock between saidbracket and the associated deck board of the pallet.

6. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boardtransversely mounted on a plurality of Stringer members, and a frameworkon said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically fromsaid pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deck board by means ofa mounting bracket, said bracket including a Vweb portion inface-to-face vertical load-supporting relation with a deck board,flanges depending from said web, inwardly extending fingers on at leastone of said flanges, said iianges and said fingers cooperable to embracethe edge of said deck board outwardly of said posts for supporting thesame in position against'nonvertical forces encountered thereby, alignedapertures provided in said web and the pallet, a pin member slidablymounted outwardly of and parallel to said posts, said pin member beingreceived in said apertures to prevent relative movement between said weband the pallet, a protrusion provided on said pin in position to engagethe bottom of said web when an attempt is made to remove said frameworkfrom said pallet without first removing said pin.

-7. ln f combination, .a `pallet l:having a .deck transversely mountedkon a plurality dof LStringer members, and la framework on. said'pallet, said rframework including posts extending vertically from said,pallet where each is releasably mounted to said deckby meansofamounting bracket, said bracket including a -.web fportion in`faceto-face vertical load-supporting Arelation .with said.deck, flangesdepending 'from asaid web, .inwardly extending ngerson at'leastone -ofsaidflanges, said :flanges and said fingers cooperable to embrace theedgeof said deck outwardly-ofsaid posts for supporting the same in posiition against nonvertical forces encountered thereby, aligned apertures.provided lfinsaid web and the fpallet,.a pin member slidably mountedoutwardlyof and parallel to said posts, said vpin member being receivedin said apertures lto prevent relative movement between said web and thepallet, and a protrus'ion provided on said pin intermediate the'endsthereof, dening a transversely extending lip, said lip adapted totengagethe .bracketto inhibit removal of -said pin therefrom, when said pin isin other than vertical disposition.

v8. -ln combination, apallet 4having a deck-transversely securedlto aplurality of Stringer -member-s, and a @framework on said pallet, saidAframework including posts eX- tending vertically from-said pallet whereeach is releasably -mounted to 4said deck by lmeans of a mountingbracket, each said bracket including a web portion inface-to-faceevertical load-supporting relation with a deck, and aplurality of gripping flanges depending from Vsaid web, at least vone ofsaid anges being so constructed and arranged as'toembrace an edge ofsaid deck outwardly of said post for'vsupporting said post in positionagainst nonvertical forces encountered thereby, and means for eilectinga positive llock :between said ybracket and lthe associated deck of thepallet, including means for inhibiting removal of 'said positive vmeanswhen the same is disposed in other than a vertical plane.

9. In combination, a pallet having serially spaced deck boardstransversely secured to a plurality of-stringer-members, and a frameworkon said pallet, said framework including posts extending vertically fromthe corners of said pallet where each is releasably mounted to a deckboard by lmeans of mounting brackets, each said bracket including -a webportion in -face-toface -vertical loadsupporting relation with a deckboard, and' gripping anges .depending ffrom said web, such that theplanes thereof are normal, said anges being lso `constructed andV,arranged ,as to .embrace rthe corner of said -deck board outwardly ofsaid posts for supporting the :same in position against .lnonverticalforces encountered thereby, and-positive locking means carriedby saidframework including aligned aperturesin said webportion and associateddeck board, a pin'on eachrof said posts receivable in said apertures,said kpin having 4a protrusion thereon for inhibiting removal of saidpin, and accordinglysaid racket from said pallet .when said pin isinother `than vertical disposition.

10. In combination, a pallet having serially `spaced deck boardstransversely securedto apluralityof Stringer members, and a framework'on vsaid pallet, saidframework including posts extending :verticallyvfrom the corners of said pallet where each is releasably-'mounted to adeck board by 4means of mounting brackets, veach fsaidbracket includinga web portion in Vface-to-face vertical loadsupporting relationwith adeck board, andgripping'anges depending from said web, such;that theplanes thereof are normal, said flanges `being so constructed andarranged as to embrace the .cornervof 'said deck board outwardly of saidposts for supporting the sarnein position against nonvertical forcesencountered thereby, .and positive locking means carried .by saidframework including aligned apertures in said rweb portion -of '.said.bracket and the associated deck board, andapin on each of said postsreceivable in said apertures, and khaving means thereon forA lockingsaid pin in said apertures lagainst removalwhen said framework istiltedortippedon said pallet.

l i References zCitedfbygthe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,495,7111/50 Fletcher :108-53 2,686,645 8/ 54 .Whibehurst et al 108-53 2,828,9324/58 De Pewtet al, 108-55 2,828,933 4/58 .De Pewlet al. `10S-552,924,339 2/ 60 Skubic 108-53 2,932,477 4/6() Franks 10S-53 2,940,706 6/60 VDe Pew 10S-53 3,017,151 1./62 Townson 1087-53 FRANK B. SHERRY,Primary Examiner,

1. FOR USE WITH A PALLET HAVING ONE OR MORE DECK BOARDS TRANSVERSELYMOUNTED ON A PLURALITY OF STRINGER MEMBERS, AND A LOAD-SUPPORTINGFRAMEWORK ON SAID PALLET, SAID FRAMEWORK INCLUDING POSTS EXTENDINGVERTICALLY FROM SAID PALLET WHERE EACH IS RELEASABLY MOUNTED TO A DECKBOARD, A MOUNTING BRACKET COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A WEB ATTACHABLETO A VERTICAL POST AND DISPOSABLE IN FACE-TO-FACE VERTICALLOAD-SUPPORTING RELATION WITH A DECK BOARD, GRIPPING FLANGES DEPENDINGFROM SAID WEB, SAID FLANGES BEING SO CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGES AS TOEMBRACE AN EDGE OF SAID DECK BOARD OUTWARDLY OF SAID POSTS FORSUPPORTING THE SAME IN POSITION AGAINST NONVERTICAL FORCES ENCOUNTEREDTHEREBY, MEANS DEFINING AN APERTURE IN SAID WEB, AND LOCKING PINDISPOSED FOR PROJECTION THROUGH SAID APERTURE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THEDECK BOARD.